Lightweight Keyshawn Davis’ homecoming in Norfolk, Virginia, was meant to mark his rise to stardom. But at the press conference, his unflappable opponent stole the show. Davis’ attempts to stir up his opponent, Gustavo Lemos, were met with silence and calm defiance.

The fight headlines a Top Rank card at Scope Arena, in Norfolk, Virginia which will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Davis, 25, instructed emcee Mark Shunock to ensure translator Gabe Rivas relayed all his statements to the Argentinean Lemos. Tensions peaked when Davis, seeking a reaction, was met with Lemos’ composed demeanor. Lemos’ final words, translated, were: “I came to work hard. I have nothing else to say than that. It’s going to be a beautiful fight.”

Davis rejected that notion. “It’s not going to be a beautiful fight,” Davis said. “It’s going to be blood everywhere. His nose might be a little lopsided. Tell him.”

Davis, 11-0 (7 KOs), then addressed Lemos directly through the translator: “Say I respect you, Gustavo. You are an amazing fighter, I appreciate you for taking the fight in my hometown,” Davis said. “But, I am going to fuck you up.”

The 28-year-old Lemos brings a 29-1 (19 KOs) record and is coming off a disputed unanimous decision loss to Richardson Hitchins. His career highlight was a knockout win over Lee Selby in March 2022. Lemos, unimpressed, simply replied, “Okay, okay.” Davis, responding to the crowd’s laughter, added, “As long as he understands.”

Davis, who stopped former two-division titleholder Jose Pedraza in February and won a unanimous decision over Miguel Madueno in July, is confident about his standing in the lightweight division.